Multiple vaccination including serogroup c meningococcus

ABSTRACT

Various improvements to vaccines that include a serogroup C meningococcal conjugate antigen, including: (a) co-administration with acellular  B. pertussis  antigen; (b) co-administration with an inactivated poliovirus antigen; (c) supply in a kit together with a separate pneumococcal conjugate component, which may be in a liquid form; and (d) use in combination with a pneumococcal conjugate antigen but without an aluminium phosphate adjuvant. A kit may have: (a) a first immunogenic component that comprises an aqueous formulation of a conjugated capsular saccharide from  Streptococcus pneumoniae ; and (b) a second immunogenic component that comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from  Neisseria meningitidis  serogroup C.

All documents cited herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/220,450, which was filed Aug. 29, 2011, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/991,438, which is the U.S. National Phase ofInternational Application No. PCT/IB2006/002861, filed Sep. 1, 2006 andpublished in English, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/713,801, filed Sep. 1, 2005 and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/750,894, filed Dec. 16, 2005. The teachings of theabove applications are incorporated herein in their entirety byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is in the field of immunising patients against multiplepathogens.

BACKGROUND ART

Vaccines containing antigens from more than one pathogenic organismwithin a single dose are known as “multivalent” or “combination”vaccines. Various combination vaccines have been approved for human usein the EU and the USA, including trivalent vaccines for protectingagainst diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (“DTP” vaccines) and trivalentvaccines for protecting against measles, mumps and rubella (“MMR”vaccines).

Combination vaccines offer patients the advantage of receiving a reducednumber of injections, which leads to the clinical advantage of increasedcompliance (e.g. see chapter 29 of reference 1), particularly forpediatric vaccination. At the same time, however, they presentmanufacturing difficulties due to factors including: physical andbiochemical incompatibility between antigens and other components;immunological interference; and stability. Various combination vaccinesare disclosed in references 2 to 10.

In 2005, a widely-publicised study [11] reported that the immunogenicityof N. meningitidis serogroup C ('MenC') capsular saccharide conjugatevaccine was diminished when it was administered with a 9-valent S.pneumoniae conjugated saccharide as a combination vaccine. Moreover,diminished responses were seen to both co-administered H. influenzaetype b (‘Hib’) conjugate and co-administered diphtheria toxoid. Theauthors concluded that the ‘Pnc9-MenC’ combination vaccine “may not be asuitable replacement for individual MenC or pneumococcal glycoconjugatevaccines”. Moreover, they suggested that the incompatibility may not belinked to the combined nature of the antigens, and that it is “possiblethat the administration of the vaccines separately may have had the sameeffect”.

Thus there remains a need for an immunisation that can protect againstMenC and pneumococcus without significant loss of immunogenicity ofthese two components. There is an additional need for an immunisationthat can protect against MenC, pneumococcus, diphtheria and Hib withoutsignificant loss of immunogenicity of these four components. Moregenerally, there remains a need for integrating MenC immunisation intoexisting immunisation schedules.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Whereas the reference 11 study found a reduction in MenC immunogenicity,this reduction is not seen with the present invention. Compared to thereference 11 study, the invention differs in several key aspects, whichcan be exploited individually or in combination to achieve success inplace of the prior art's failure.

Whereas the reference 11 study used a whole-cell B. pertussis antigen,and found a reduction in MenC immunogenicity, in a first aspect of theinvention a MenC conjugate antigen is co-administered with acellular B.pertussis antigen(s), and no loss of immunogenicity has been observed.This situation contrasts with previous experience with Hib conjugates,which are generally compatible with whole cell pertussis but which haveoften been reported to be incompatible with acellular pertussis. It alsocontrasts with previous experience with pneumococcal conjugates, whereantibody responses were reduced when co-administered with acellular B.pertussis antigen(s) but were not reduced if a cellular antigen was used[2]. The use of acellular antigens, rather than cellular, offersadvantages in terms of safety and reactogenicity.

Moreover, whereas the reference 11 study administered the MenC/Pnc9vaccine at the same time as an oral polio vaccine (‘OPV’), and found areduction in MenC immunogenicity, in a second aspect of the invention aMenC conjugate antigen is co-administered with a polio vaccine ininjectable form, such as in inactivated poliovirus vaccine (‘IPV’), andno loss of immunogenicity has been observed. The use of IPV instead ofOPV eliminates the risk of vaccine-associated polio paralysis.

In addition, whereas the reference 11 study used a vaccine compositionin which pneumococcal and MenC conjugates were supplied as a pre-mixedcombination, and found a reduction in MenC immunogenicity, in a thirdaspect of the invention a MenC conjugate antigen is supplied separatelyfrom the pneumococcal conjugates, in the form of a kit of parts, and noloss of immunogenicity has been observed. The MenC and pneumococcalconjugates can be administered to a patient separately (e.g. atdifferent sites), or they can be mixed at the time of use for combinedadministration. Manufacturing and distributing a kit is less convenientthat for a full-liquid combination vaccine, but this sort of kit iscurrently in use (e.g. in the INFANRIX HEXA™ product) and theinconvenience can be more than offset by the increased immunogenicityand stability of the antigens.

Furthermore, whereas the reference 11 study used a vaccine compositionin which pneumococcal and MenC conjugates were supplied as a lyophilisedcombination, and found a reduction in MenC immunogenicity, in a fourthaspect of the invention a pneumococcal conjugate antigen is supplied ina liquid form, and no loss of immunogenicity has been observed. The MenCconjugate may be in lyophilised form, or may also be in liquid form.Supplying the pneumococcal conjugate in liquid form avoids the need forits reconstitution at the time of use, and also allows it to be used toreconstitute any other immunogenic components that are in lyophilisedform.

Additionally, whereas the reference 11 study used a vaccine compositionin which pneumococcal and MenC conjugates were supplied in combinationwith an aluminium phosphate adjuvant, and found a reduction in MenCimmunogenicity, in a fifth aspect of the invention a meningococcalconjugate antigen is supplied without an aluminium phosphate adjuvant,and no loss of immunogenicity has been observed. The aluminium phosphateadjuvant can be replaced with an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant, or it ispossible to include no aluminium adjuvant at all. Further alternativearrangements of aluminium salts are also possible.

Finally, in a sixth aspect of the invention MenC and a pneumococcalconjugate are administered with either or both of an acellular pertussisantigen and an inactivated poliovirus antigen, and the two conjugatesuse the same carrier protein. Using a common carrier protein reduces theoverall number of different antigens that are simultaneously presentedto the immune system, and also offers more convenience duringmanufacture. If more than one pneumococcal conjugate is administeredthen each pneumococcal conjugate may have the same carrier protein, orthere may be different carrier proteins, but at least one of thepneumococcal conjugates will have the same carrier protein as the MenCconjugate.

These six aspects of the invention are described in more detail below.

Reference 3, published in December 2004, describes a study in which theINFANRIX HEXA™ (GSK) was co-administered to infants, into separatethighs, with MENINGITEC™ (Wyeth). INFANRIX HEXA™ is supplied as a liquidD-T-Pa-HBsAg-IPV formulation with an additional lyophilised Hibcomponent, and the Hib component is resuspended with the 5-valent liquidformulation at the time of use to give a 6-valent combination vaccine.MENINGITEC™ is supplied as a liquid formulation containing an aluminiumphosphate adjuvant. In contrast, with the fifth aspect of the presentinvention a meningococcal conjugate antigen is supplied without analuminium phosphate adjuvant. Also in contrast to reference 3, in aseventh aspect of the invention a meningococcal conjugate antigen issupplied in a lyophilised form. This lyophilised form will bereconstituted into aqueous form prior to injection, and thereconstitution may use (a) an aqueous D-T-Pa-containing formulation, togive a combination vaccine or (b) a separate aqueous carrier, forco-administration with a D-T-Pa-containing formulation.

Reference 4 discloses a study in which a meningococcal C conjugatevaccine was co-administered with a 5-valent D-T-Pa-IPV-Hib vaccine.Reference 5 discloses a study in which a pneumococcal C conjugatevaccine was co-administered with a 5-valent D-T-Pa-IPV-Hib vaccine.Neither of these 5-valent vaccines included a HBsAg component. Reference6 discloses studies in which (a) HBsAg was administered at the same timeas a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infants, and (b) separate D-T-Paand Hib vaccines were administered at the same time as a pneumococcalconjugate vaccine in toddlers. Reference 7 describes a study in which ameningococcal C conjugate vaccine was co-administered with a 4-valentD-T-Pa-Hib vaccine. In an eighth aspect of the invention, meningococcalserogroup C and pneumococcal conjugates are administered with ahepatitis B surface antigen. In a ninth aspect of the invention,meningococcal serogroup C and pneumococcal conjugates are administeredwith an inactivated poliovirus antigen.

These nine aspects of the invention are described in more detail below.The nine aspects can be exploited individually or in combination.

Reference 8 describes a study in which a 6-valent D-T-Pa-HBV-IPV-Hibvaccine was co-administered with a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugatevaccine, but no meningococcal conjugates were used. References 9 and 10describe various possible combination vaccines, which may includemeningococcal conjugates, but specific details are lacking e.g. there isno disclosure of the O-acetylation status of the proposed meningococcalserogroup C saccharides.

Use of Acellular Pertussis Antigen(s)

In a first aspect of the invention, a MenC conjugate (‘MCC’) antigen isco-administered with acellular B. pertussis antigen(s), usually known as‘Pa’. The MCC and the Pa antigens may be administered to a patientseparately, or they may be administered as a combination vaccine.

Thus the invention provides a kit, comprising a first immunogeniccomponent and a second immunogenic component, wherein: (a) the firstimmunogenic component comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from N.meningitidis serogroup C; and (b) the second immunogenic componentcomprises an acellular B. pertussis antigen.

In addition to acellular B. pertussis antigens, the second immunogeniccomponent preferably includes one or more of: a diphtheria toxoid; atetanus toxoid; a HBsAg; an inactivated poliovirus antigen; and,optionally, a conjugated Hib antigen.

The kit may also include a component including a conjugated pneumococcalsaccharide antigen.

The invention also provides an immunogenic composition comprising: (a) aconjugated capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C; and (b)an acellular B. pertussis antigen. In addition to the MCC and acellularB. pertussis antigens, the composition may include one or more of: adiphtheria toxoid; a tetanus toxoid; a HBsAg; an inactivated poliovirusantigen; and, optionally, a conjugated Hib antigen. It may also includea conjugated pneumococcal saccharide antigen.

Use of an Injectable Polio Vaccine

In a second aspect of the invention, a MenC conjugate (‘MCC’) antigen isco-administered with an injectable poliovirus antigen, such as theinactivated polio vaccine (‘IPV’), also known as the Salk vaccine. TheMCC and the IPV antigens may be administered to a patient separately, orthey may be administered as a combination vaccine.

Thus the invention provides a kit, comprising a first immunogeniccomponent and a second immunogenic component, wherein: (a) the firstimmunogenic component comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from N.meningitidis serogroup C; and (b) the second immunogenic componentcomprises an inactivated poliovirus antigen.

In addition to IPV, the second immunogenic component preferably includesone or more of: a diphtheria toxoid; a tetanus toxoid; a HBsAg; anacellular pertussis antigen; and, optionally, a conjugated Hib antigen.

The kit may also include a component including a conjugated pneumococcalsaccharide antigen.

The invention also provides an immunogenic composition comprising: (a) aconjugated capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C; and (b)an inactivated poliovirus antigen. In addition to the MCC and acellularB. pertussis antigens, the composition may include one or more of: adiphtheria toxoid; a tetanus toxoid; a HBsAg; an acellular pertussisantigen; and, optionally, a conjugated Hib antigen. It may also includea conjugated pneumococcal saccharide antigen.

Supplying MenC as a Separate Kit Component

In a third aspect of the invention, a MenC conjugate (‘MCC’) antigen issupplied separately from the pneumococcal conjugates (‘PnC’), in theform of a kit of parts.

Thus the invention provides a kit, comprising a first immunogeniccomponent and a second immunogenic component, wherein: (a) the firstimmunogenic component comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from N.meningitidis serogroup C; and (b) the second immunogenic componentcomprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae.

The first component may additionally include one or more of: adiphtheria toxoid; a tetanus toxoid; a pertussis antigen; and a HBsAg.It may also include an inactivated poliovirus antigen. It may alsoinclude a conjugated Hib antigen. Where one of these six additionalantigens is included in the first component, however, it will not alsobe included in the second component.

The second component may additionally include one or more of: adiphtheria toxoid; a tetanus toxoid; a pertussis antigen; and a HBsAg.It may also include an inactivated poliovirus antigen. It may alsoinclude a conjugated Hib antigen. Where one of these six additionalantigens is included in the second component, however, it will not alsobe included in the first component.

Where neither the first nor the second component contains a diphtheriatoxoid, the diphtheria toxoid may be included within a further componentof the kit. Similarly, where neither the first nor the second componentcontains a tetanus toxoid, the tetanus toxoid may be included within afurther component of the kit. Similarly, where neither the first nor thesecond component contains a pertussis antigen, the pertussis antigen maybe included within a further component of the kit. Similarly, whereneither the first nor the second component contains a HBsAg, the HBsAgmay be included within a further component of the kit. Similarly, whereneither the first nor the second component contains a Hib conjugate, theHib conjugate may be included within a further component of the kit.Similarly, where neither the first nor the second component containsIPV, the IPV may be included within a further component of the kit.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis antigens will typically be includedtogether within the same component in the kit.

Liquid Pneumococcal Conjugates

In a fourth aspect of the invention, a pneumococcal conjugate antigen issupplied in a liquid form. A co-administered MenC conjugate may besupplied: (i) separately, in lyophilised form; (ii) separately, also ina liquid form; or (iii) in admixture with the pneumococcal conjugate, inliquid form.

Thus the invention provides a kit, comprising a first immunogeniccomponent and a second immunogenic component, wherein: (a) the firstimmunogenic component comprises an aqueous formulation of a conjugatedcapsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae; and (b) the second immunogeniccomponent comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from N.meningitidis serogroup C. The MCC in the second component may be anaqueous formulation or a lyophilised formulation.

The first and/or second component may also include one or more of: adiphtheria toxoid; a tetanus toxoid; B. pertussis antigen(s); a HBsAg;and an inactivated poliovirus antigen. Preferably all five of theseadditional antigens are included in either the first component or thesecond component. As an alternative, the five antigens may be providedas a third immunogenic component in the kit. The kit may include aconjugated Hib antigen in the first or second (or third) component.

The invention also provides an immunogenic composition comprising aconjugated capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae and a conjugatedcapsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, wherein thecomposition is in aqueous form. The immunogenic composition preferablyalso includes one or more of: a diphtheria toxoid; a tetanus toxoid;acellular B. pertussis antigen(s); a HBsAg; an inactivated poliovirusantigen; and, optionally, a conjugated Hib antigen.

Aluminium Phosphate Adjuvant with MenC

In a fifth aspect of the invention, a meningococcal conjugate antigen issupplied without an aluminium phosphate adjuvant. The aluminiumphosphate adjuvant can be replaced with an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant,or it is possible to include no aluminium adjuvant at all. Aco-administered pneumococcal conjugate may be supplied with an aluminiumphosphate adjuvant.

Thus the invention provides a kit, comprising a first immunogeniccomponent and a second immunogenic component, wherein: (a) the firstimmunogenic component comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from N.meningitidis serogroup C, but does not include an aluminium phosphateadjuvant; and (b) the second immunogenic component comprises aconjugated capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae.

In preferred arrangements, the first immunogenic component does notinclude an aluminium phosphate adjuvant, but it may include an aluminiumhydroxide adjuvant. As an alternative, it may include no aluminiumsalts, in which case it may include a non-aluminium-based adjuvant, orit may include no adjuvant at all.

In an alternative arrangement, where aluminium phosphate is permitted inthe first component, the first component can include a mixture ofaluminium hydroxide and phosphate adjuvants. Thus the invention alsoprovides an immunogenic composition comprising a conjugated capsularsaccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C and a conjugated capsularsaccharide from S. pneumoniae, wherein the composition includes analuminium hydroxide adjuvant and an aluminium phosphate adjuvant.

In a further alternative arrangement, an aluminium phosphate adjuvant ispermitted in the first component, and the meningococcal conjugatecomponent is adsorbed to an aluminium phosphate adjuvant. Thus theinvention also provides an immunogenic composition comprising aconjugated capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C and aconjugated capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidisserogroup C conjugate is adsorbed to an aluminium phosphate adjuvant.The invention also provides a kit, comprising a first immunogeniccomponent and a second immunogenic component, wherein: (a) the firstimmunogenic component comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from N.meningitidis serogroup C, which is adsorbed to an aluminium phosphateadjuvant; and (b) the second immunogenic component comprises aconjugated capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae. The pneumococcalconjugate may also be adsorbed to an aluminium phosphate adjuvant.

The may additionally include one or more of: a diphtheria toxoid; atetanus toxoid; a pertussis antigen; and a HBsAg. It may also include aninactivated poliovirus antigen. It may also include a conjugated Hibantigen.

Carrier Proteins for MenC and PnC

In a sixth aspect of the invention, MenC and pneumococcal conjugates areadministered with either or both of an acellular pertussis antigen andan inactivated poliovirus antigen, and the two conjugates use the samecarrier protein. Despite the risks of carrier-induced suppression, ithas been found herein that MenC and pneumococcal conjugates do notinterfere with each other, which contrasts to the authors' suggestionsin reference 11.

Thus the invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising: (a) acapsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae, conjugated to a first carrierprotein, (b) a capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C,conjugated to a second carrier protein, and (c) an acellular pertussisantigen and/or an inactivated poliovirus antigen, characterised in thatthe first carrier protein and the second carrier protein are the same.The composition may also include one or more of: a diphtheria toxoid; atetanus toxoid; a HBsAg; and/or a conjugated Hib saccharide.

Using “the same” carrier protein does not mean that there is a singlecarrier protein molecule to which both pneumococcal and meningococcalsaccharides are attached (cf. reference 12). Rather, the two conjugatesare separate from each other, but the carrier used in the firstconjugate is the same carrier as used in the second conjugate e.g. thepneumococcal saccharides are conjugated to CRM197, and the meningococcalsaccharides are also conjugated to CRM197, but there is no CRM197 towhich both pneumococcal and meningococcal saccharides are conjugated.Thus the conjugates are prepared separately and are subsequentlycombined.

The invention also provides kits including PnC, MCC and one or both ofPa or IPV:

-   -   a kit, comprising at least a first immunogenic component and a        second immunogenic component, wherein: (a) one of the components        comprises a capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae, conjugated        to a first carrier protein, (b) one of the components comprises        a capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C,        conjugated to a second carrier protein, (c) one of the        components comprises an acellular pertussis antigen,        characterised in that the first carrier protein and the second        carrier protein are the same.    -   a kit, comprising at least a first immunogenic component and a        second immunogenic component, wherein: (a) one of the components        comprises a capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae, conjugated        to a first carrier protein, (b) one of the components comprises        a capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C,        conjugated to a second carrier protein, (c) one of the        components comprises an inactivated poliovirus antigen,        characterised in that the first carrier protein and the second        carrier protein are the same.

Antigens (a), (b) and (c) are all present within the kit, but they arenot all part of the same kit component. The following arrangements ofantigens are possible, with up to three separate components for antigens(a), (b) and (c):

Component 1 (a) (a) & (b) (a) & (c) (a) Component 2 (b) & (c) (c) (b)(b) Component 3 — — — (c)

For providing each of PnC, MCC, Pa and IPV, the invention provides akit, comprising at least a first immunogenic component and a secondimmunogenic component, wherein: (a) one of the components comprises acapsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae, conjugated to a first carrierprotein, (b) one of the components comprises a capsular saccharide fromN. meningitidis serogroup C, conjugated to a second carrier protein, (c)one of the components comprises an acellular pertussis antigen; and (d)one of the components comprises an inactivated poliovirus antigen,characterised in that the first carrier protein and the second carrierprotein are the same.

Antigens (a), (b), (c) and (d) are all present within the kit, but theyare not all part of the same kit component. The following arrangementsof antigens are encompassed, with up to four separate components forantigens (a), (b), (c) and (d):

Component 1 (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) & (b) (a) & (b) Component 2 (b), (c)& (d) (b) (b) & (c) (b) & (d) (b) (c) & (d) (c) Component 3 — (c) & (d)(d) (c) (c) — (d) Component 4 — — — — (d) — — Component 1 (a) & (c) (a)& (c) (a), (b) & (c) (a), (b) & (d) (a), (c) & (d) (a) & (d) (a) & (d)Component 2 (b) (b) & (d) (d) (c) (b) (b) (b) & (c) Component 3 (d) — —— — (c) — Component 4 — — — — — — —

Typically, antigens (c) and (d) will be part of the same component.

These kits may also include one or more of: a diphtheria toxoid; atetanus toxoid; a HBsAg; and/or a conjugated Hib saccharide.

If the composition or kit includes saccharides from more than oneserotype of S. pneumoniae and/or more than one serogroup of N.meningitidis, this aspect of the invention requires that the samecarrier protein is used for at least one of the S. pneumoniae conjugatesand at least one of the N. meningitidis conjugates. In some embodiments,the same carrier protein will be used for all of the S. pneumoniaeconjugates and at least one of the N. meningitidis conjugates. In otherembodiments, the same carrier protein will be used for at least one ofthe S. pneumoniae conjugates and all of the N. meningitidis conjugates.In other embodiments, the same carrier protein will be used for all ofthe S. pneumoniae conjugates and all of the N. meningitidis conjugates.Carrier choice is discussed in more detail below.

Where the composition or the kit includes a conjugated Hib saccharidethen the carrier protein in the Hib saccharide may be the same as thecarrier in the pneumococcal and meningococcal conjugates, or the Hibconjugate may use a different carrier.

Where the composition or the kit includes a tetanus toxoid then thecarrier protein in the pneumococcal conjugate and the meningococcalconjugate is preferably not a tetanus toxoid. In some embodiments, noneof the pneumococcal conjugates and meningococcal conjugates have atetanus toxoid carrier.

Where the composition or the kit includes a diphtheria toxoid then thecarrier protein in the pneumococcal conjugate and the meningococcalconjugate is preferably not a diphtheria toxoid. In some embodiments,none of the pneumococcal conjugates and meningococcal conjugates have adiphtheria toxoid carrier.

Where the composition or the kit includes both a diphtheria toxoid and atetanus toxoid then the carrier protein in the pneumococcal andmeningococcal conjugates is preferably neither a diphtheria toxoid nor atetanus toxoid.

Lyophilisation of MenC

In a seventh aspect of the invention, a meningococcal serogroup Cconjugate antigen is supplied in a lyophilised form in a kit that alsoincludes an aqueous D-T-Pa-containing formulation.

Thus the invention provides a kit, comprising a first immunogeniccomponent and a second immunogenic component, wherein: (a) the firstimmunogenic component comprises an aqueous formulation of a diphtheriatoxoid, a tetanus toxoid and acellular B. pertussis antigen; and (b) thesecond immunogenic component comprises a conjugated capsular saccharidefrom N. meningitidis serogroup C, in lyophilised form.

The lyophilised MenC conjugate will be reconstituted into aqueous formprior to injection. The reconstitution step can use (a) the aqueousD-T-Pa-containing formulation, to give a combination vaccine includingthe MenC conjugate or (b) a separate aqueous carrier, to give a secondinjection for co-administration with a D-T-Pa-containing injection, inwhich case the kit may include an aqueous carrier as a furthercomponent.

The D-T-Pa-containing formulation may also include either or both of: ahepatitis B virus surface antigen; and an inactivated poliovirusantigen.

A conjugated Hib antigen may also be included within the kit. It may beincluded in lyophilised form (e.g. in the same container as thelyophilised MenC component), or within the D-T-Pa-containingformulation.

Administration of MenC, PnC and HBsAg

In an eighth aspect of the invention, meningococcal serogroup C andpneumococcal conjugates are administered with a hepatitis B surfaceantigen.

Thus the invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising: (a) aconjugated capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae, (b) a conjugatedcapsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, and (c) ahepatitis B virus surface antigen. The composition may also include oneor more of: a diphtheria toxoid; a tetanus toxoid; a B. pertussisantigen; an inactivated poliovirus antigen; and/or a conjugated Hibsaccharide.

The invention also provides a kit, comprising at least a firstimmunogenic component and a second immunogenic component, wherein: (a)one of the components comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from S.pneumoniae, (b) one of the components comprises a conjugated capsularsaccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, (c) one of the componentscomprises a hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

Antigens (a), (b) and (c) are all present within the kit, but they arenot all part of the same kit component. The following arrangements ofantigens are possible, with up to three separate components for antigens(a), (b) and (c):

Component 1 (a) (a) & (b) (a) & (c) (a) Component 2 (b) & (c) (c) (b)(b) Component 3 — — — (c)

The kit may also include one or more of: a diphtheria toxoid; a tetanustoxoid; a B. pertussis antigen; an inactivated poliovirus antigen;and/or a conjugated Hib saccharide. These additional antigens may beincluded within the same kit component as any of (a), (b) or (c), or maybe in separate component(s). Typically, however, a single kit componentcan include all of: a HBsAg; a diphtheria toxoid; a tetanus toxoid; a B.pertussis antigen; and an inactivated poliovirus antigen.

Administration of MenC, PnC and IPV

In a ninth aspect of the invention, meningococcal serogroup C andpneumococcal conjugates are administered with an inactivated poliovirusantigen.

Thus the invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising: (a) aconjugated capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae, (b) a conjugatedcapsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, and (c)inactivated poliovirus antigen. The composition may also include one ormore of: a diphtheria toxoid; a tetanus toxoid; a B. pertussis antigen;a HBsAg; and/or a conjugated Hib saccharide.

The invention also provides a kit, comprising at least a firstimmunogenic component and a second immunogenic component, wherein: (a)one of the components comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from S.pneumoniae, (b) one of the components comprises a conjugated capsularsaccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, (c) one of the componentscomprises an inactivated poliovirus antigen.

Antigens (a), (b) and (c) are all present within the kit, but they arenot all part of the same kit component. The following arrangements ofantigens are possible, with up to three separate components for antigens(a), (b) and (c):

Component 1 (a) (a) & (b) (a) & (c) (a) Component 2 (b) & (c) (c) (b)(b) Component 3 — — — (c)

The kit may also include one or more of: a diphtheria toxoid; a tetanustoxoid; a B. pertussis antigen; a HBsAg; and/or a conjugated Hibsaccharide. These additional antigens may be included within the samekit component as any of (a), (b) or (c), or may be in separatecomponent(s). Typically, however, a single kit component can include allof: an inactivated poliovirus antigen; a diphtheria toxoid; a tetanustoxoid; a B. pertussis antigen; and a HBsAg.

Combinations of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh,Eighth and Ninth Aspects

The nine aspects of the invention can be exploited separately, or incombinations of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 of the aspects. For example,the invention also provides the following kits:

-   -   A kit, comprising a first immunogenic component and a second        immunogenic component, wherein: (a) the first immunogenic        component comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from N.        meningitidis serogroup C; and (b) the second immunogenic        component comprises an acellular B. pertussis antigen and an        inactivated poliovirus antigen.    -   A kit, comprising a first immunogenic component, a second        immunogenic component and a third immunogenic component,        wherein: (a) the first immunogenic component comprises a        conjugated capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup        C; (b) the second immunogenic component comprises an        acellular B. pertussis antigen and/or an inactivated poliovirus        antigen; and (c) the third immunogenic component comprises a        conjugated capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae.    -   A kit, comprising a first immunogenic component and a second        immunogenic component and, optionally, a third component,        wherein: (a) the first immunogenic component comprises a        conjugated capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C,        but does not include an aluminium phosphate adjuvant; (b) the        second immunogenic component comprises an acellular B. pertussis        antigen and/or an inactivated poliovirus antigen; and (c) the        optional third component comprises a conjugated capsular        saccharide from S. pneumoniae.    -   A kit comprising a first immunogenic component and a second        immunogenic component, wherein: (a) the first immunogenic        component comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from N.        meningitidis serogroup C; (b) the second immunogenic component        comprises a diphtheria toxoid, a tetanus toxoid, an acellular B.        pertussis antigen, a hepatitis B virus surface antigen and an        inactivated poliovirus antigen, characterised in that the first        immunogenic component is lyophilised and/or does not include an        aluminium phosphate adjuvant.    -   A kit, comprising at least a first immunogenic component and a        second immunogenic component, wherein: (a) one of the components        comprises a capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae, conjugated        to a first carrier protein, (b) one of the components comprises        a capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C,        conjugated to a second carrier protein, (c) one of the        components comprises an acellular pertussis antigen,        characterised in that the first carrier protein and the second        carrier protein are the same, and that the component containing        the N. meningitidis serogroup C is lyophilised and/or does not        include an aluminium phosphate adjuvant.        etc.

The invention also provides the following immunogenic compositions:

-   -   An immunogenic composition comprising a conjugated capsular        saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, an acellular B.        pertussis antigen and an inactivated poliovirus antigen.    -   An immunogenic composition comprising: (a) a conjugated capsular        saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, (b) an acellular B.        pertussis antigen and/or an inactivated poliovirus antigen;        and (c) a conjugated capsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae.    -   An immunogenic composition comprising: (a) a capsular saccharide        from S. pneumoniae, conjugated to a first carrier protein, (b) a        capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, conjugated        to a second carrier protein, and (c) an acellular pertussis        antigen, an inactivated poliovirus antigen, and a hepatitis B        virus surface antigen, wherein the first carrier protein and the        second carrier protein are the same.        etc.        Antigens for Use with the Invention

Compositions and kits of the invention comprise a conjugated N.meningitidis serogroup C saccharide antigen. Typically, they alsoinclude at least one conjugated S. pneumoniae saccharide antigen. Theymay also include further antigens from other pathogens, particularlyfrom bacteria and/or viruses. Preferred further antigens are selectedfrom:

-   -   a diphtheria toxoid (‘D’)    -   a tetanus toxoid (‘T’)    -   a pertussis antigen (‘P’), which is typically acellular (‘aP’)    -   a hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (‘HBsAg’)    -   a hepatitis A virus (HAV) antigen    -   a conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular saccharide        (‘Hib’)    -   inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)    -   a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup A capsular saccharide        (‘MenA’)    -   a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup W135 capsular saccharide        (‘MenW135’)    -   a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup Y capsular saccharide        (‘MenY’)

More than one of these further antigens can be used. The followingcombinations of antigens are particularly preferred:

-   -   Bivalent vaccines: MenC-PnC.    -   Tetravalent vaccines: D-T-Pa-MenC.    -   Pentavalent vaccines: D-T-Pa-Hib-MenC; D-T-Pa-IPV-MenC;        D-T-Pa-HBsAg-MenC; D-T-Pa-MenC-PnC.    -   Hexavalent vaccines: D-T-Pa-HBsAg-IPV-MenC;        D-T-Pa-HBsAg-MenC-PnC.    -   Heptavalent vaccines: D-T-Pa-HBsAg-IPV-Hib-MenC;        D-T-Pa-HBsAg-Hib-MenC-MenA.    -   Octavalent vaccines: D-T-Pa-HBsAg-IPV-Hib-MenC-MenA;        D-T-Pa-HBsAg-IPV-Hib-MenC-PnC.

These compositions may consist of the antigens listed, or may furtherinclude antigens from additional pathogens. Thus they can be usedindividually, or as components of further vaccines.

Conjugated N. meningitidis Saccharides

Conjugated meningococcal antigens comprise capsular saccharide antigensfrom Neisseria meningitidis conjugated to carrier proteins. Conjugatedmonovalent vaccines against serogroup C have been approved for humanuse, and include MENJUGATE™ [13], MENINGITEC™ and NEISVAC-C™. Mixturesof conjugates from serogroups A+C are known [14,15] and mixtures ofconjugates from serogroups A+C+W135+Y have been reported [16-19] andwere approved in 2005 as the MENACTRA™ product.

The invention uses at least a meningococcal saccharide from serogroup C,but may also include saccharide from one or more of serogroups A, W135and/or Y e.g. A+C, C+W135, C+Y, A+C+W135, A+C+Y, C+W135+Y, A+C+W135+Y.Where more than one serogroup is used then it is preferred to use bothof serogroups A and C.

The meningococcal serogroup C capsular saccharide is an α2→9-linkedhomopolymer of sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid), typically withO-acetyl (OAc) groups at C-7 or C-8 residues. The compound isrepresented as: →9)-Neu p NAc 7/8 OAc-(α2→

Some MenC strains (˜12% of invasive isolates) produce a polysaccharidethat lacks this OAc group. The presence or absence of OAc groupsgenerates unique epitopes, and the specificity of antibody binding tothe saccharide may affect its bactericidal activity against O-acetylated(OAc−) and de-O-acetylated (OAc+) strains [20-22]. Licensed MenCconjugate vaccines include both OAc− (NEISVAC-C™) and OAc+ (MENJUGATE™ &MENINGITEC™) saccharides. Serogroup C saccharides used with theinvention may be prepared from either OAc+ or OAc− strains. Preferredstrains for production of serogroup C conjugates are OAc+ strains,preferably of serotype 16, preferably of serosubtype P1.7a,1. ThusC:16:P1.7a,1 OAc+ strains are preferred. OAc+ strains in serosubtypeP1.1 are also useful, such as the C11 strain.

The meningococcal serogroup A capsular saccharide is a homopolymer of(α1→6)-linked N-acetyl-D-mannosamine-1-phosphate, with partialO-acetylation in the C3 and C4 positions. Acetylation at the C-3position can be 70-95%. Conditions used to purify the saccharide canresult in de-O-acetylation (e.g. under basic conditions), but it ispreferred to retain OAc at this C-3 position. Thus, preferably at least50% (e.g. at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or more) of the mannosamineresidues are O-acetylated at the C-3 position.

The serogroup W135 saccharide is a polymer of sialic acid-galactosedisaccharide units. Like the serogroup C saccharide, it has variableO-acetylation, but at sialic acid 7 and 9 positions [23]. The structureis written as: →4)-D-Neup5Ac(7/9OAc)-α-(2→6)-D-Gal-α-(1→

The serogroup Y saccharide is similar to the serogroup W135 saccharide,except that the disaccharide repeating unit includes glucose instead ofgalactose. Like serogroup W135, it has variable O-acetylation at sialicacid 7 and 9 positions [23]. The serogroup Y structure is written as:→4)-D-Neup5Ac(7/9OAc)-α-(2→6)-D-Glc-α-(1→

The MENJUGATE™ and MENINGITEC™ products use a CRM197 carrier protein,and this carrier can also be used according to the invention. TheNEISVAC-C™ product uses a tetanus toxoid carrier protein, and thiscarrier can also be used according to the invention, as can diphtheriatoxoid. Another useful carrier protein for the meningococcal conjugatesis protein D from Haemophilus influenzae, which is not present in anyexisting approved conjugate vaccines.

The saccharide moiety of the conjugate may comprise full-lengthsaccharides as prepared from meningococci, and/or it may comprisefragments of full-length saccharides. The saccharides used according tothe invention are preferably shorter than the native capsularsaccharides seen in bacteria. Thus the saccharides are preferablydepolymerised, with depolymerisation occurring after saccharidepurification but before conjugation. Depolymerisation reduces the chainlength of the saccharides. One depolymerisation method involves the useof hydrogen peroxide [16]. Hydrogen peroxide is added to a saccharide(e.g. to give a final H₂O₂ concentration of 1%), and the mixture is thenincubated (e.g. at about 55° C.) until a desired chain length reductionhas been achieved. Another depolymerisation method involves acidhydrolysis [17]. Other depolymerisation methods are known in the art.The saccharides used to prepare conjugates for use according to theinvention may be obtainable by any of these depolymerisation methods.Depolymerisation can be used in order to provide an optimum chain lengthfor immunogenicity and/or to reduce chain length for physicalmanageability of the saccharides. Preferred saccharides have thefollowing range of average degrees of polymerisation (Dp): A=10-20;C=12-22; W135=15-25; Y=15-25. In terms of molecular weight, rather thanDp, preferred ranges are, for all serogroups: <100 kDa; 5 kDa-75 kDa; 7kDa-50 kDa; 8 kDa-35 kDa; 12 kDa-25 kDa; 15 kDa-22 kDa.

Meningococcal conjugates with a saccharide:protein ratio (w/w) ofbetween 1:10 (i.e. excess protein) and 10:1 (i.e. excess saccharide) maybe used e.g. ratios between 1:5 and 5:1, between 1:2.5 and 2.5:1, orbetween 1:1.25 and 1.25:1. A ratio of 1:1 can be used, particularly forserogroup C.

Typically, a composition will include between 1 μg and 20 μg (measuredas saccharide) per dose of each serogroup that is present.

Administration of a conjugate preferably results in an increase in serumbactericidal assay (SBA) titre for the relevant serogroup of at least4-fold, and preferably at least 8-fold. SBA titres can be measured usingbaby rabbit complement or human complement [24].

Meningococcal conjugates may or may not be adsorbed to an aluminium saltadjuvant.

Meningococcal conjugates may be lyophilised prior to use according tothe invention. If lyophilised, the composition may include a stabilisersuch as mannitol. It may also include sodium chloride.

Conjugated Pneumococcal Saccharides

Conjugated pneumococcal antigens comprise capsular saccharide antigensfrom Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugated to carrier proteins [e.g. refs.25 to 27]. It is preferred to include saccharides from more than oneserotype of S. pneumoniae: mixtures of polysaccharides from 23 differentserotype are widely used, as are conjugate vaccines with polysaccharidesfrom between 5 and 11 different serotypes [28]. For example, PREVNAR™[29] contains antigens from seven serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F,and 23F) with each saccharide individually conjugated to CRM197 byreductive amination, with 2 μg of each saccharide per 0.5 ml dose (4 μgof serotype 6B).

Compositions of the invention preferably include saccharide antigens forat least serotypes 6B, 14, 19F and 23F. Further serotypes are preferablyselected from: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7F, 9V and 18C. 7-valent (as in PREVNAR™),9-valent (e.g. the 7 serotypes from PREVNAR, plus 1 & 5), 10-valent(e.g. the 7 serotypes from PREVNAR, plus 1, 5 & 7F) and 11-valent (e.g.the 7 serotypes from PREVNAR, plus 1, 3, 5 & 7F) coverage ofpneumococcal serotypes is particularly useful.

The saccharide moiety of the conjugate may comprise full-lengthsaccharides as prepared from pneumococci, and/or it may comprisefragments of full-length saccharides. The saccharides used according tothe invention are preferably shorter than the native capsularsaccharides seen in bacteria, as described above for meningococcalconjugates.

Pneumococcal conjugates with a saccharide:protein ratio (w/w) of between1:10 (i.e. excess protein) and 10:1 (i.e. excess saccharide) may be usede.g. ratios between 1:5 and 5:1, between 1:2.5 and 2.5:1, or between1:1.25 and 1.25:1.

The PREVNAR™ product use a CRM197 carrier protein, and this carrier canalso be used according to the invention. Alternative carriers for usewith pneumococcal saccharides include, but are not limited to, a tetanustoxoid carrier, a diphtheria toxoid carrier, and/or a H. influenzaeprotein D carrier. The use of multiple carriers for mixed pneumococcalserotypes may be advantageous [30] e.g. to include both a H. influenzaeprotein D carrier and e.g. a tetanus toxoid carrier and/or a diphtheriatoxoid carrier. For example, one or more (preferably all) of serotypes1, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14 and 23F may be conjugated to a H. influenzaeprotein D carrier, serotype 18C may be conjugated to a tetanus toxoid,and serotype 19F may be conjugated to a diphtheria toxoid carrier.

Typically, a composition will include between 1 μg and 20 μg (measuredas saccharide) per dose of each serotype that is present.

Pertussis Antigens

Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough. Pertussis antigens invaccines are either cellular (whole cell, in the form of inactivated B.pertussis cells) or acellular. Preparation of cellular pertussisantigens is well documented [e.g. see chapter 21 of ref. 1] e.g. it maybe obtained by heat inactivation of phase I culture of B. pertussis.Preferably, however, the invention uses acellular antigens.

Where acellular antigens are used, it is preferred to use one, two or(preferably) three of the following antigens: (1) detoxified pertussistoxin (pertussis toxoid, or ‘PT’); (2) filamentous hemagglutinin(‘FHA’); (3) pertactin (also known as the ‘69 kiloDalton outer membraneprotein’). These three antigens are preferably prepared by isolationfrom B. pertussis culture grown in modified Stainer-Scholte liquidmedium. PT and FHA can be isolated from the fermentation broth (e.g. byadsorption on hydroxyapatite gel), whereas pertactin can be extractedfrom the cells by heat treatment and flocculation (e.g. using bariumchloride). The antigens can be purified in successive chromatographicand/or precipitation steps. PT and FHA can be purified by, for example,hydrophobic chromatography, affinity chromatography and size exclusionchromatography. Pertactin can be purified by, for example, ion exchangechromatography, hydrophobic chromatography and size exclusionchromatography. FHA and pertactin may be treated with formaldehyde priorto use according to the invention. PT is preferably detoxified bytreatment with formaldehyde and/or glutaraldehyde. As an alternative tothis chemical detoxification procedure the PT may be a mutant PT inwhich enzymatic activity has been reduced by mutagenesis [31], butdetoxification by chemical treatment is preferred.

Acellular pertussis antigens are preferably adsorbed onto one or morealuminium salt adjuvants. As an alternative, they may be added in anunadsorbed state. Where pertactin is added then it is preferably alreadyadsorbed onto an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. PT and FHA may be adsorbedonto an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant or an aluminum phosphate. Adsorptionof all of PT, FHA and pertactin to aluminum hydroxide is most preferred.

Compositions will typically include: 1-50 μg/dose PT; 1-50 μg/dose FHA;and 1-50 μg pertactin. Preferred amounts are about 25 μg/dose PT, about25 μg/dose FHA and about 8 μg/dose pertactin.

As well as PT, FHA and pertactin, it is possible to include fimbriae(e.g. agglutinogens 2 and 3) in an acellular pertussis vaccine.

Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine

Poliovirus causes poliomyelitis. Rather than use oral poliovirusvaccine, preferred embodiments of the invention use IPV, as disclosed inmore detail in chapter 24 of reference 1.

Polioviruses may be grown in cell culture, and a preferred culture usesa Vero cell line, derived from monkey kidney. Vero cells canconveniently be cultured on microcarriers. After growth, virions may bepurified using techniques such as ultrafiltration, diafiltration, andchromatography. Prior to administration to patients, polioviruses mustbe inactivated, and this can be achieved by treatment with formaldehyde.

Poliomyelitis can be caused by one of three types of poliovirus. Thethree types are similar and cause identical symptoms, but they areantigenically very different and infection by one type does not protectagainst infection by others. It is therefore preferred to use threepoliovirus antigens in the invention: poliovirus Type 1 (e.g. Mahoneystrain), poliovirus Type 2 (e.g. MEF-1 strain), and poliovirus Type 3(e.g. Saukett strain). The viruses are preferably grown, purified andinactivated individually, and are then combined to give a bulk trivalentmixture for use with the invention.

Quantities of IPV are typically expressed in the ‘DU’ unit (the“D-antigen unit” [32]). It is preferred to use between 1-100 DU perviral type per dose e.g. about 80 DU of Type 1 poliovirus, about 16 DUof type 2 poliovirus, and about 64 DU of type 3 poliovirus.

Poliovirus antigens are preferably not adsorbed to any aluminium saltadjuvant before being used to make compositions of the invention, butthey may become adsorbed onto aluminum adjuvant(s) in the vaccinecomposition during storage.

Diphtheria Toxoid

Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria. Diphtheria toxin can betreated (e.g. using formalin or formaldehyde) to remove toxicity whileretaining the ability to induce specific anti-toxin antibodies afterinjection. These diphtheria toxoids are used in diphtheria vaccines, andare disclosed in more detail in chapter 13 of reference 1. Preferreddiphtheria toxoids are those prepared by formaldehyde treatment. Thediphtheria toxoid can be obtained by growing C. diphtheriae in growthmedium (e.g. Fenton medium, or Linggoud & Fenton medium), which may besupplemented with bovine extract, followed by formaldehyde treatment,ultrafiltration and precipitation. The toxoided material may then betreated by a process comprising sterile filtration and/or dialysis.

Quantities of diphtheria toxoid can be expressed in international units(IU). For example, the NIBSC supplies the ‘Diphtheria Toxoid AdsorbedThird International Standard 1999’ [33,34], which contains 160 IU perampoule. As an alternative to the IU system, the ‘Lf’ unit(“flocculating units” or the “limes flocculating dose”) is defined asthe amount of toxoid which, when mixed with one International Unit ofantitoxin, produces an optimally flocculating mixture [35]. For example,the NIBSC supplies ‘Diphtheria Toxoid, Plain’ [36], which contains 300LF per ampoule, and also supplies ‘The 1st International ReferenceReagent For Diphtheria Toxoid For Flocculation Test’ [37] which contains900 LF per ampoule.

Compositions typically include between 20 and 80 Lf of diphtheriatoxoid, typically about 50 Lf.

By IU measurements, compositions will typically include at least 30IU/dose.

The diphtheria toxoid is preferably adsorbed onto an aluminium hydroxideadjuvant.

Tetanus Toxoid

Clostridium tetani causes tetanus. Tetanus toxin can be treated to givea protective toxoid. The toxoids are used in tetanus vaccines, and aredisclosed in more detail in chapter 27 of reference 1. Preferred tetanustoxoids are those prepared by formaldehyde treatment. The tetanus toxoidcan be obtained by growing C. tetani in growth medium (e.g. a Lathammedium derived from bovine casein), followed by formaldehyde treatment,ultrafiltration and precipitation. The material may then be treated by aprocess comprising sterile filtration and/or dialysis.

Quantities of tetanus toxoid can be expressed in international units(IU). For example, the NIBSC supplies the ‘Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed ThirdInternational Standard 2000’ [38,39], which contains 469 IU per ampoule.As an alternative to the IU system, the ‘Lf’ unit (“flocculating units”or the “limes flocculating dose”) is defined as the amount of toxoidwhich, when mixed with one International Unit of antitoxin, produces anoptimally flocculating mixture [35]. For example, the NIBSC supplies‘The 1st International Reference Reagent for Tetanus Toxoid ForFlocculation Test’ [40] which contains 1000 LF per ampoule.

Compositions will typically include between 5 and 50 Lf of diphtheriatoxoid, typically about 20 Lf.

By IU measurements, compositions will typically include at least 40IU/dose.

The tetanus toxoid may be adsorbed onto an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant,but this is not necessary (e.g. adsorption of between 0-10% of the totaltetanus toxoid can be used).

Hepatitis A Virus Antigens

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the known agents which causes viralhepatitis. HAV vaccines are disclosed in chapter 15 of reference 1. Apreferred HAV component is based on inactivated virus, and inactivationcan be achieved by formalin treatment. Virus can be grown on humanembryonic lung diploid fibroblasts, such as MRC-5 cells. A preferred HAVstrain is HM175, although CR326F can also be used. The cells can begrown under conditions that permit viral growth. The cells are lysed,and the resulting suspension can be purified by ultrafiltration and gelpermeation chromatography.

The amount of HAV antigen, measured in EU (Elisa Units), is typically atleast about 500 EU/ml.

Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the known agents which causes viralhepatitis. The HBV virion consists of an inner core surrounded by anouter protein coat or capsid, and the viral core contains the viral DNAgenome. The major component of the capsid is a protein known as HBVsurface antigen or, more commonly, ‘HBsAg’, which is typically a226-amino acid polypeptide with a molecular weight of ˜24 kDa. Allexisting hepatitis B vaccines contain HBsAg, and when this antigen isadministered to a normal vaccinee it stimulates the production ofanti-HBsAg antibodies which protect against HBV infection.

For vaccine manufacture, HBsAg has been made in two ways. The firstmethod involves purifying the antigen in particulate form from theplasma of chronic hepatitis B carriers, as large quantities of HBsAg aresynthesized in the liver and released into the blood stream during anHBV infection. The second way involves expressing the protein byrecombinant DNA methods. HBsAg for use with the method of the inventionis preferably recombinantly expressed in yeast cells. Suitable yeastsinclude, for example, Saccharomyces (such as S. cerevisiae) or Hanensula(such as H. polymorpha) hosts.

The HBsAg is preferably non-glycosylated. Unlike native HBsAg (i.e. asin the plasma-purified product), yeast-expressed HBsAg is generallynon-glycosylated, and this is the most preferred form of HBsAg for usewith the invention, because it is highly immunogenic and can be preparedwithout the risk of blood product contamination.

The HBsAg will generally be in the form of substantially-sphericalparticles (average diameter of about 20 nm), including a lipid matrixcomprising phospholipids. Yeast-expressed HBsAg particles may includephosphatidylinositol, which is not found in natural HBV virions. Theparticles may also include a non-toxic amount of LPS in order tostimulate the immune system [41]. Preferred HbsAg is in the form ofparticles including a lipid matrix comprising phospholipids,phosphatidylinositol and polysorbate 20.

All known HBV subtypes contain the common determinant ‘a’. Combined withother determinants and subdeterminants, nine subtypes have beenidentified: ayw1, ayw2, ayw3, ayw4, ayr, adw2, adw4, adrq− and adrq+.Besides these subtypes, other variants have emerged, such as HBV mutantsthat have been detected in immunised individuals (“escape mutants”). Themost preferred HBV subtype for use with the invention is subtype adw2. Apreferred HBsAg has the following amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1):

MENITSGFLGPLLVLQAGFFLLTRILTIPQSLDSWWTSLNFLGGSPVCLGQNSQSPTSNHSPTSCPPICPGYRWMCLRRFIIFLFILLLCLIFLLVLLDYQGMLPVCPLIPGSTTTNTGPCKTCTTPAQGNSMFPSCCCTKPTDGNCTCIPIPSSWAFAKYLWEWASVRFSWLSLLVPFVQWFVGLSPTVWLSAIWMMWYWGPSLYSIVSPFIPLLPIFFCLWVYI

This sequence differs from the closest database matches at amino acid117, having an Asn residue rather than Ser. The invention can use SEQ IDNO: 1, or a sequence differing from SEQ ID NO: 1 by up to 10 (i.e. 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) single amino acid substitutions.

In addition to the ‘S’ sequence, a surface antigen may include all orpart of a pre-S sequence, such as all or part of a pre-S1 and/or pre-S2sequence.

HBsAg is preferably expressed: (1) under the control of an upstreampromoter from a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene; and/or(2) with a downstream ARG3 transcription terminator.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is a glycolytic enzyme, and itspromoter has been found to be particularly suitable for controllingexpression of HBsAg in S. cerevisiae [42]. A preferred GAPDH promotercomprises the following 1060-mer nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2):

AAGCTTACCAGTTCTCACACGGAACACCACTAATGGACACACATTCGAAATACTTTGACCCTATTTTCGAGGACCTTGTCACCTTGAGCCCAAGAGAGCCAAGATTTAAATTTTCCTATGACTTGATGCAAATTCCCAAAGCTAATAACATGCAAGACACGTACGGTCAAGAAGACATATTTGACCTCTTAACAGGTTCAGACGCGACTGCCTCATCAGTAAGACCCGTTGAAAAGAACTTACCTGAAAAAAACGAATATATACTAGCGTTGAATGTTAGCGTCAACAACAAGAAGTTTACTGACGCGGAGGCCAAGGCAAAAAGATTCCTTGATTACGTAAGGGAGTTAGAATCATTTTGAATAAAAAACACGCTTTTTCAGTTCGAGTTTATCATTATCAATACTGCCATTTCAAAGAATACGTAAATAATTAATAGTAGTGATTTTCCTAACTTTATTTAGTCAAAAAATTAGCCTTTTAATTCTGCTGTAACCCGTACATGCCCAAAATAGGGGGCGGGTTACACAGAATATATAACATCGTAGGTGTCTGGGTGAACAGTTTATTCCTGGCATCCACTAAATATAATGGAGCCCGCTTTTTAAGCTGGCATCCAGAAAAAAAAAGAATCCCAGCACCAAAATATTGTTTTCTTCACCAACCATCAGTTCATAGGTCCATTCTCTTAGCGCAACTACAGAGAACAGGGGCACAAACAGGCAAAAAACGGGCACAACCTCAATGGAGTGATGCAACCTGCCTGGAGTAAATGATGACACAAGGCAATTGACCCACGCATGTATCTATCTCATTTTCTTACACCTTCTATTACCTTCTGCTCTCTCTGATTTGGAAAAAGCTGAAAAAAAAGGTTGAAACCAGTTCCCTGAAATTATTCCCCTACTTGACTAATAAGTATATAAAGACGGTAGGTATTGATTGTAATTCTGTAAATCTATTTCTTAAACTTCTTAAATTCTACTTTTATAGTTAGTCTTTTTTTTAGTTTTAAAACACCAAGAACTTAGTTTCGAATAAACACACATAAACAAACAAA

This sequence differs from the sequence in reference 42 as follows: (1)A/C substitution at nucleotide 42; (2) T/A substitution at nucleotide194; (3) C/A mutation at nucleotide 301; (4) A insertion at nucleotide471; (5) C/T substitution at residue 569; (6) T/C substitution atresidue 597; (7) T insertion at nucleotide 604 (penta-T instead oftetra-T); and (8) replacement of 3′ GCTT sequence with a single A.

The invention can use this 1060-mer promoter sequence, or a sequencediffering from this 1060-mer sequence by up to 20 (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20) pointmutations, each point mutation being the deletion, substitution orinsertion of a single nucleotide.

The 1060-mer sequence is preferably immediately downstream of the ATGstart codon encoding the N-terminus of the HBsAg (SEQ ID NO: 3):

AAGCTTACCAGTTCTCACACGGAACACCACTAATGGACACACATTCGAAATACTTTGACCCTATTTTCGAGGACCTTGTCACCTTGAGCCCAAGAGAGCCAAGATTTAAATTTTCCTATGACTTGATGCAAATTCCCAAAGCTAATAACATGCAAGACACGTACGGTCAAGAAGACATATTTGACCTCTTAACAGGTTCAGACGCGACTGCCTCATCAGTAAGACCCGTTGAAAAGAACTTACCTGAAAAAAACGAATATATACTAGCGTTGAATGTTAGCGTCAACAACAAGAAGTTTACTGACGCGGAGGCCAAGGCAAAAAGATTCCTTGATTACGTAAGGGAGTTAGAATCATTTTGAATAAAAAACACGCTTTTTCAGTTCGAGTTTATCATTATCAATACTGCCATTTCAAAGAATACGTAAATAATTAATAGTAGTGATTTTCCTAACTTTATTTAGTCAAAAAATTAGCCTTTTAATTCTGCTGTAACCCGTACATGCCCAAAATAGGGGGCGGGTTACACAGAATATATAACATCGTAGGTGTCTGGGTGAACAGTTTATTCCTGGCATCCACTAAATATAATGGAGCCCGCTTTTTAAGCTGGCATCCAGAAAAAAAAAGAATCCCAGCACCAAAATATTGTTTTCTTCACCAACCATCAGTTCATAGGTCCATTCTCTTAGCGCAACTACAGAGAACAGGGGCACAAACAGGCAAAAAACGGGCACAACCTCAATGGAGTGATGCAACCTGCCTGGAGTAAATGATGACACAAGGCAATTGACCCACGCATGTATCTATCTCATTTTCTTACACCTTCTATTACCTTCTGCTCTCTCTGATTTGGAAAAAGCTGAAAAAAAAGGTTGAAACCAGTTCCCTGAAATTATTCCCCTACTTGACTAATAAGTATATAAAGACGGTAGGTATTGATTGTAATTCTGTAAATCTATTTCTTAAACTTCTTAAATTCTACTTTTATAGTTAGTCTTTTTTTTAGTTTTAAAACACCAAGAACTTAGTTTCGAATAAACACACATAAACAAACAAAATG . . .

The ARG3 gene in yeast encodes the ornithine carbamoyltransferase enzyme[43] and its transcription termination sequence has been used in severalyeast recombinant expression systems [44, 45, 46]. It is advantageousfor the control of HBsAg expression in yeast, particularly incombination with a GAPDH promoter.

The gene encoding HBsAg will typically be an insert in a plasmid. Apreferred plasmid includes a GAPDH promoter, followed by a sequenceencoding HBsAg, followed by an ARG3 terminator. Preferred plasmids mayalso include one, two or all three of: (1) a LEU2 selection marker; (2)a 2μ plasmid sequence; and/or (3) an origin of replication functional inEscherichia coli [46]. Thus preferred plasmids can act as shuttlevectors between yeast and E. coli.

A plasmid with between 14500 and 15000 by is preferred e.g. between14600 and 14700 bp.

Where a LEU2 selection marker is used then the host cell should beLEU2^(−ve) (i.e. a leucine auxotroph). The host cell may be a leu2-3leu2-112 mutant. Further characteristics of preferred yeast hosts arehis3 and/or can1-11. A most preferred yeast host is leu2-3 leu2-112 his3can1-11, such as the DC5 strain.

A preferred method for HBsAg purification involves, after celldisruption: ultrafiltration; size exclusion chromatography; anionexchange chromatography; ultracentrifugation; desalting; and sterilefiltration. Lysates may be precipitated after cell disruption (e.g.using a polyethylene glycol), leaving HBsAg in solution, ready forultrafiltration.

After purification HBsAg may be subjected to dialysis (e.g. withcysteine), which can be used to remove any mercurial preservatives suchas thimerosal that may have been used during HBsAg preparation [47].

Quantities of HBsAg are typically expressed in micrograms, and a typicalamount of HBsAg per vaccine dose is between 5 and 5 μg e.g. 10 μg/dose.

Although HBsAg may be adsorbed to an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant in thefinal vaccine (as in the well-known ENGERIX-B™ product), or may remainunadsorbed, it will generally be adsorbed to an aluminium phosphateadjuvant [48].

Conjugated Haemophilus influenzae Type b Antigens Haemophilus influenzaetype b (‘Hib’) causes bacterial meningitis. Hib vaccines are typicallybased on the capsular saccharide antigen [e.g. chapter 14 of ref. 1],the preparation of which is well documented [e.g. references 49 to 58].

The Hib saccharide can be conjugated to a carrier protein in order toenhance its immunogenicity, especially in children. Typical carrierproteins are tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, the CRM197 derivative ofdiphtheria toxoid, H. influenzae protein D, and an outer membraneprotein complex from serogroup B meningococcus. The carrier protein inthe Hib conjugate is preferably different from the carrier protein(s) inthe meningococcal conjugate(s), but the same carrier can be used in someembodiments.

Tetanus toxoid is the preferred carrier, as used in the product commonlyreferred to as ‘PRP-T’. PRP-T can be made by activating a Hib capsularpolysaccharide using cyanogen bromide, coupling the activated saccharideto an adipic acid linker (such as(1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide), typically thehydrochloride salt), and then reacting the linker-saccharide entity witha tetanus toxoid carrier protein.

The saccharide moiety of the conjugate may comprise full-lengthpolyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) as prepared from Hib bacteria, and/orfragments of full-length PRP.

Hib conjugates with a saccharide:protein ratio (w/w) of between 1:5(i.e. excess protein) and 5:1 (i.e. excess saccharide) may be used e.g.ratios between 1:2 and 5:1 and ratios between 1:1.25 and 1:2.5. Inpreferred vaccines, however, the weight ratio of saccharide to carrierprotein is between 1:2 and 1:4, preferably between 1:2.5 and 1:3.5. Invaccines where tetanus toxoid is present both as an antigen and as acarrier protein then the weight ratio of saccharide to carrier proteinin the conjugate may be between 1:0.3 and 1:2 [59].

Amounts of Hib conjugates are generally given in terms of mass ofsaccharide (i.e. the dose of the conjugate (carrier+saccharide) as awhole is higher than the stated dose) in order to avoid variation due tochoice of carrier. A typical amount of Hib saccharide per dose isbetween 1-30 μg, preferably about 10 μg.

Administration of the Hib conjugate preferably results in an anti-PRPantibody concentration of ≧0.15 μg/ml, and more preferably ≧1 μg/ml, andthese are the standard response thresholds.

Hib conjugates may be lyophilised prior to their use according to theinvention. Further components may also be added prior to freeze-dryinge.g. as stabilizers. Preferred stabilizers for inclusion are lactose,sucrose and mannitol, as well as mixtures thereof e.g. lactose/sucrosemixtures, sucrose/mannitol mixtures, etc. The final vaccine may thuscontain lactose and/or sucrose. Using a sucrose/mannitol mixture canspeed up the drying process.

Hib conjugates may or may not be adsorbed to an aluminium salt adjuvant.It is preferred not to adsorb them to an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant.

Characteristics of Compositions of the Invention

In addition to the antigenic components described above, compositions ofthe invention will generally include a non-antigenic component. Thenon-antigenic component can include carriers, adjuvants, excipients,buffers, etc., as described in more detail below. These non-antigeniccomponents may have various sources. For example, they may be present inone of the antigen or adjuvant materials that is used during manufactureor may be added separately from those components.

Preferred compositions of the invention include one or morepharmaceutical carrier(s) and/or excipient(s).

To control tonicity, it is preferred to include a physiological salt,such as a sodium salt. Sodium chloride (NaCl) is preferred, which may bepresent at between 1 and 20 mg/ml.

Compositions will generally have an osmolality of between 200 mOsm/kgand 400 mOsm/kg, preferably between 240-360 mOsm/kg, and will morepreferably fall within the range of 290-320 mOsm/kg. Osmolality haspreviously been reported not to have an impact on pain caused byvaccination [60], but keeping osmolality in this range is neverthelesspreferred.

Compositions of the invention may include one or more buffers. Typicalbuffers include: a phosphate buffer; a Tris buffer; a borate buffer; asuccinate buffer; a histidine buffer; or a citrate buffer. Buffers willtypically be included in the 5-20 mM range.

The pH of a composition of the invention will generally be between 5.0and 7.5, and more typically between 5.0 and 6.0 for optimum stability,or between 6.0 and 7.0.

Compositions of the invention are preferably sterile.

Compositions of the invention are preferably non-pyrogenic e.g.containing <1 EU (endotoxin unit, a standard measure) per dose, andpreferably <0.1 EU per dose.

Compositions of the invention are preferably gluten free.

Where antigens are adsorbed, a composition may be a suspension with acloudy appearance. This appearance means that microbial contamination isnot readily visible, and so the vaccine preferably contains apreservative. This is particularly important when the vaccine ispackaged in multidose containers. Preferred preservatives for inclusionare 2-phenoxyethanol and thimerosal. It is recommended, however, not touse mercurial preservatives (e.g. thimerosal) where possible. It ispreferred that compositions of the invention contain less than about 25ng/ml mercury.

The concentration of any aluminium salts in a composition of theinvention, expressed in terms of Al³⁺, is preferably less than 5 mg/mle.g. ≦4 mg/ml, ≦3 mg/ml, ≦2 mg/ml, ≦1 mg/ml, etc.

Compositions of the invention are preferably administered to patients in0.5 ml doses. References to 0.5 ml doses will be understood to includenormal variance e.g. 0.5 ml±0.05 ml.

The invention can provide bulk material which is suitable for packaginginto individual doses, which can then be distributed for administrationto patients. Concentrations mentioned above are typically concentrationsin final packaged dose, and so concentrations in bulk vaccine may behigher (e.g. to be reduced to final concentrations by dilution).

Residual material from individual antigenic components may also bepresent in trace amounts in the final vaccine produced by the process ofthe invention. For example, if formaldehyde is used to prepare thetoxoids of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis then the final vaccineproduct may retain trace amounts of formaldehyde (e.g. less than 10μg/ml, preferably <5 μg/ml). Media or stabilizers may have been usedduring poliovirus preparation (e.g. Medium 199), and these may carrythrough to the final vaccine. Similarly, free amino acids (e.g. alanine,arginine, aspartate, cysteine and/or cystine, glutamate, glutamine,glycine, histidine, proline and/or hydroxyproline, isoleucine, leucine,lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, tryptophan,tyrosine and/or valine), vitamins (e.g. choline, ascorbate, etc.),disodium phosphate, monopotassium phosphate, calcium, glucose, adeninesulfate, phenol red, sodium acetate, potassium chloride, etc. may beretained in the final vaccine at ≦100 μg/ml, preferably <10 μg/ml, each.Other components from antigen preparations, such as neomycin (e.g.neomycin sulfate, particularly from the IPV component), polymyxin B(e.g. polymyxin B sulfate, particularly from the IPV component), etc.may also be present e.g. at sub-nanogram amounts per dose.

A further possible component of the final vaccine which originates inthe antigen preparations arises from less-than-total purification ofantigens. Small amounts of B. pertussis, C. diphtheriae, C. tetaniand/or S. cerevisiae proteins and/or genomic DNA may therefore bepresent.

Where an IPV component is used, it will generally have been grown onVero cells. The final vaccine preferably contains less than 50 pg/ml ofVero cell DNA e.g. less than 50 pg/ml of Vero cell DNA that is ≧50 basepairs long.

Adjuvants

Preferred immunogenic compositions of the invention include an adjuvant,and this adjuvant preferably comprises one or more aluminium salts, andparticularly an aluminium phosphate adjuvant and/or an aluminiumhydroxide adjuvant. Antigenic components used to prepare compositions ofthe invention preferably include aluminium adjuvants before being usedi.e. they are ‘pre-mixed’ or ‘pre-adsorbed’ to the adjuvant(s).

Aluminium adjuvants currently in use are typically referred to either as“aluminium hydroxide” or as “aluminium phosphate” adjuvants. These arenames of convenience, however, as neither is a precise description ofthe actual chemical compound which is present (e.g. see chapter 9 ofreference 61). The invention can use any of the “hydroxide” or“phosphate” salts that are in general use as adjuvants.

The adjuvants known as “aluminium hydroxide” are typically aluminiumoxyhydroxide salts, which are usually at least partially crystalline.Aluminium oxyhydroxide, which can be represented by the formula AlO(OH),can be distinguished from other aluminium compounds, such as aluminiumhydroxide Al(OH)₃, by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, in particular by thepresence of an adsorption band at 1070 cm⁻¹ and a strong shoulder at3090-3100 cm⁻¹ (chapter 9 of ref. 61).

The adjuvants known as “aluminium phosphate” are typically aluminiumhydroxyphosphates, often also containing a small amount of sulfate. Theymay be obtained by precipitation, and the reaction conditions andconcentrations during precipitation can influence the degree ofsubstitution of phosphate for hydroxyl in the salt. Hydroxyphosphatesgenerally have a PO₄/Al molar ratio between 0.3 and 0.99.Hydroxyphosphates can be distinguished from strict AlPO₄ by the presenceof hydroxyl groups. For example, an IR spectrum band at 3164 cm⁻¹ (e.g.when heated to 200° C.) indicates the presence of structural hydroxyls(chapter 9 of ref. 61).

The PO₄/Al³⁺ molar ratio of an aluminium phosphate adjuvant willgenerally be between 0.3 and 1.2, preferably between 0.8 and 1.2, andmore preferably 0.95±0.1. The aluminium phosphate will generally beamorphous, particularly for hydroxyphosphate salts. A typical adjuvantis amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate with PO₄/Al molar ratio between0.84 and 0.92, included at 0.6 mg Al³⁺/ml. The aluminium phosphate willgenerally be particulate. Typical diameters of the particles are in therange 0.5-20 μm (e.g. about 5-10 μm) after any antigen adsorption.

The PZC of aluminium phosphate is inversely related to the degree ofsubstitution of phosphate for hydroxyl, and this degree of substitutioncan vary depending on reaction conditions and concentration of reactantsused for preparing the salt by precipitation. PZC is also altered bychanging the concentration of free phosphate ions in solution (morephosphate=more acidic PZC) or by adding a buffer such as a histidinebuffer (makes PZC more basic). Aluminium phosphates used according tothe invention will generally have a PZC of between 4.0 and 7.0, morepreferably between 5.0 and 6.5 e.g. about 5.7.

An aluminium phosphate solution used to prepare a composition of theinvention may contain a buffer (e.g. a phosphate or a histidine or aTris buffer), but this is not always necessary. The aluminium phosphatesolution is preferably sterile and pyrogen-free. The aluminium phosphatesolution may include free aqueous phosphate ions e.g. present at aconcentration between 1.0 and 20 mM, preferably between 5 and 15 mM, andmore preferably about 10 mM. The aluminium phosphate solution may alsocomprise sodium chloride. The concentration of sodium chloride ispreferably in the range of 0.1 to 100 mg/ml (e.g. 0.5-50 mg/ml, 1-20mg/ml, 2-10 mg/ml) and is more preferably about 3±1 mg/ml. The presenceof NaCl facilitates the correct measurement of pH prior to adsorption ofantigens.

Methods of Treatment and Administration of the Vaccine

The invention involves the co-administration of antigens from differentpathogens. These antigens may be co-administered in the form of acombination vaccine (i.e. a single aqueous composition containingmultiple antigens, such that its administration simultaneously immunisesa subject against multiple pathogens). Alternatively, they may beco-administered separately to a patient (e.g. at different sites), butat substantially the same time as each other e.g. during the sameconsultation with a physician or other health care provider. Thus thedifferent antigens may be for simultaneous separate or sequential use,or they may be for mixing prior to use. Administration of differentconjugate vaccines simultaneously but at different sites may avoidpotential suppression effects seen where the conjugates share a carrierprotein.

Compositions of the invention are suitable for administration to humanpatients, and the invention provides a method of raising an immuneresponse in a patient, comprising the step of administering acomposition of the invention to the patient.

The invention also provides a composition of the invention for use inmedicine.

The invention also provides the use of (a) a conjugated capsularsaccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C and (b) an acellular B.pertussis antigen, in the manufacture of a medicament for immunising apatient.

The invention also provides the use of (a) a conjugated capsularsaccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C and (b) an inactivatedpoliovirus antigen, in the manufacture of a medicament for immunising apatient.

The invention also provides the use of (a) a conjugated capsularsaccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, (b) a conjugated capsularsaccharide from S. pneumoniae, (c) a hepatitis B virus surface antigen,in the manufacture of a medicament for immunising a patient.

The invention also provides the use of (a) a conjugated capsularsaccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, (b) a conjugated capsularsaccharide from S. pneumoniae, (c) an inactivated poliovirus antigen, inthe manufacture of a medicament for immunising a patient.

The invention also provides the use of (a) a conjugated capsularsaccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C, (b) a conjugated capsularsaccharide from S. pneumoniae, (c) an inactivated poliovirus antigen,and (d) an acellular B. pertussis antigen, in the manufacture of amedicament for immunising a patient.

The invention also provides the use of (a) a capsular saccharide from N.meningitidis serogroup C, conjugated to a first carrier protein, (b) acapsular saccharide from S. pneumoniae conjugated to a second carrierprotein, in the manufacture of a medicament for immunising a patient,characterised in that the first carrier protein and the second carrierprotein are the same.

Immunogenic compositions of the invention are preferably vaccines, foruse in the reduction or prevention of diseases such as: bacterialmeningitis, including meningococcal meningitis, pneumococcal meningitisand Hib meningitis; viral hepatitis, including HBV and HAV infections;diphtheria; tetanus, or lockjaw; whooping cough, or pertussis; and/orpoliomyelitis.

Preferred patients for receiving the compositions of the invention areless than 2 years old, preferably aged between 0-12 months. Oneparticular group of patients is aged between 1 and 3 months, and has notpreviously received a meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Another group ofpatients is aged between 3 and 5 months and has previously received adiphtheria toxoid immunisation.

In order to have full efficacy, a typical primary immunization schedulefor a child may involve administering more than one dose. For example,doses may be at: 0, 2 and 4 months (time 0 being the first dose); 0, 1and 2 months; 0 and 2 months; 0, 2 and 8 months; etc. The first dose(time 0) may be administered at about 2 months of age, or sometimes(e.g. in a 0-2-8 month schedule) at around 3 months of age.

Compositions can also be used as booster doses e.g. for children, in thesecond year of life.

Compositions of the invention can be administered by intramuscularinjection e.g. into the arm, leg or buttock. Where separateadministration is used then, particularly where there are two separatecompositions to be co-administered, it is typical to inject compositionsinto opposite limbs e.g. to inject into both the left and right arms.

Where compositions of the invention include an aluminium-based adjuvant,settling of components may occur during storage. The composition shouldtherefore be shaken prior to administration to a patient. The shakencomposition will generally be a turbid white suspension.

Packaging Compositions of the Invention

Compositions of the invention can be placed into containers for use.Suitable containers include vials and disposable syringes (preferablysterile ones).

Where a composition of the invention is packaged into vials, these arepreferably made of a glass or plastic material. The vial is preferablysterilized before the composition is added to it. To avoid problems withlatex-sensitive patients, vials are preferably sealed with a latex-freestopper. The vial may include a single dose of vaccine, or it mayinclude more than one dose (a ‘multidose’ vial) e.g. 10 doses. Whenusing a multidose vial, each dose should be withdrawn with a sterileneedle and syringe under strict aseptic conditions, taking care to avoidcontaminating the vial contents. Preferred vials are made of colorlessglass.

A vial can have a cap (e.g. a Luer lock) adapted such that a pre-filledsyringe can be inserted into the cap, the contents of the syringe can beexpelled into the vial (e.g. to reconstitute lyophilised materialtherein), and the contents of the vial can be removed back into thesyringe. After removal of the syringe from the vial, a needle can thenbe attached and the composition can be administered to a patient. Thecap is preferably located inside a seal or cover, such that the seal orcover has to be removed before the cap can be accessed.

Where the composition is packaged into a syringe, the syringe will notnormally have a needle attached to it, although a separate needle may besupplied with the syringe for assembly and use. Safety needles arepreferred. 1-inch 23-gauge, 1-inch 25-gauge and ⅝-inch 25-gauge needlesare typical. Syringes may be provided with peel-off labels on which thelot number and expiration date of the contents may be printed, tofacilitate record keeping. The plunger in the syringe preferably has astopper to prevent the plunger from being accidentally removed duringaspiration. The syringes may have a latex rubber cap and/or plunger.Disposable syringes contain a single dose of vaccine. The syringe willgenerally have a tip cap to seal the tip prior to attachment of aneedle, and the tip cap is preferably made of butyl rubber. If thesyringe and needle are packaged separately then the needle is preferablyfitted with a butyl rubber shield. Grey butyl rubber is preferred.Preferred syringes are those marketed under the trade name “Tip-Lok”™.

Where a glass container (e.g. a syringe or a vial) is used, then it ispreferred to use a container made from a borosilicate glass rather thanfrom a soda lime glass.

Various kits are provided by the invention. The kits can compriseseparate immunogenic compositions, and these compositions can either bemixed with each other extemporaneously at the time of use, to give acombination vaccine, or they can be administered separately (e.g. atdifferent sites), but at substantially the same time. Thus thecompositions in the kit may be for simultaneous separate or sequentialuse, or they may be for mixing. Where the compositions are to be mixed,it is preferred that at least one of them is initially in aqueous formand one is initially in lyophilised form, such at the lyophilisedcomposition is re-activated by the aqueous composition at the time ofuse. Where a lyophilised component is present, it will typicallycomprise one or more conjugated saccharide antigens.

Typical compositions for separate inclusion in kits of the inventioninclude: a composition comprising a MenC conjugate antigen; acomposition comprising a pneumococcal conjugate antigen; a compositionincluding acellular B. pertussis antigen(s) and/or an inactivatedpoliovirus antigen; and a composition including a Hib conjugate.

A composition including acellular B. pertussis antigen(s) will typicallyalso include a diphtheria toxoid and a tetanus toxoid. It may alsoinclude one or more of: a HBsAg and/or IPV. Thus one composition of thekit could be a pentavalent D-T-Pa-HBsAg-IPV composition, or afull-liquid D-T-Pa-HBsAg-IPV-Hib component.

Each composition in the kit can be stored separately e.g. each in aseparate vial or syringe. It is also possible to supply one compositionin a syringe and the others in vials. Where components are to be mixedextemporaneously at the time of use, an alternative arrangement tohaving separate containers is to use a multi-chamber container. Amulti-chamber syringe allows the individual compositions to be keptseparately during storage, but to be mixed as the syringe plunger isactivated.

When not supplied in kit form, compositions of the invention may be infull-liquid form.

Immunisation Schedules

As mentioned above, a typical primary immunization schedule for a childinvolves administering more than one dose. For example, doses may be at:0, 2 and 4 months (time 0 being the first dose); 0, 1 and 2 months; 0and 2 months; etc. The first dose (time 0) is usually at about 2 monthsof age.

A 2-dose schedule (e.g. two months apart) has been found to benon-inferior to a more expensive 3-dose schedule (e.g. 1 month apart).Normal non-meningococcal vaccines can be given between the 2 doses ofthe 2-dose schedule.

Thus the invention provides a method of treating an patient who haspreviously received (i) a single dose of a capsular saccharide from N.meningitidis serogroup C and (ii) more than one dose of one or more ofan acellular B. pertussis antigen, hepatitis B virus surface antigenand/or inactivated poliovirus, comprising administering to the patient afurther dose of a capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C.The further MenC dose may optionally be co-administered with otherantigens, as described above.

The invention also provides a method for raising an immune response in apatient, comprising the steps of: (i) co-administering to the patient acapsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C and one or more ofan acellular B. pertussis antigen, hepatitis B virus surface antigenand/or inactivated poliovirus; then (ii) administering to the patientone or more of an acellular B. pertussis antigen, hepatitis B virussurface antigen and/or inactivated poliovirus, without co-administeringa capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C; and (iii)co-administering to the patient a capsular saccharide from N.meningitidis serogroup C and one or more of an acellular B. pertussisantigen, hepatitis B virus surface antigen and/or inactivatedpoliovirus. Steps (i), (ii) and (iii) are preferably performed insequence at intervals of at least one month. They may be performed atabout 2 months of age, at about 3 months, and at about 4 months. Themethod can conveniently be implemented by administering: (i) a firstvaccine and a second vaccine; (ii) the second vaccine but not the firstvaccine; and (iii) the first vaccine and the second vaccine.

In an alternative schedule, steps (ii) and (iii) may be reversed i.e. apatient received the serogroup C vaccine in the first and second visit,but not in the third visit.

The invention also provides the use of a conjugated capsular saccharidefrom N. meningitidis serogroup C in the manufacture of a medicament forimmunising a patient, wherein the patient has previously received (i) ndoses of a capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup C and (ii)more than n doses of one or more of an acellular B. pertussis antigen,hepatitis B virus surface antigen and/or inactivated poliovirus. Thevalue of n is preferably 1.

General

The term “comprising” encompasses “including” as well as “consisting”e.g. a composition “comprising” X may consist exclusively of X or mayinclude something additional e.g. X+Y.

The word “substantially” does not exclude “completely” e.g. acomposition which is “substantially free” from Y may be completely freefrom Y. Where necessary, the word “substantially” may be omitted fromthe definition of the invention.

The term “about” in relation to a numerical value x means, for example,x+10%.

Unless specifically stated, a process comprising a step of mixing two ormore components does not require any specific order of mixing. Thuscomponents can be mixed in any order. Where there are three componentsthen two components can be combined with each other, and then thecombination may be combined with the third component, etc.

Where an antigen is described as being “adsorbed” to an adjuvant, it ispreferred that at least 50% (by weight) of that antigen is adsorbed e.g.50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98% or more. It is preferred thatdiphtheria toxoid and tetanus toxoid are both totally adsorbed i.e. noneis detectable in supernatant. Total adsorption of HBsAg is alsopreferred.

Amounts of conjugates are generally given in terms of mass of saccharide(i.e. the dose of the conjugate (carrier+saccharide) as a whole ishigher than the stated dose) in order to avoid variation due to choiceof carrier.

Typical carrier proteins for use in conjugates are bacterial toxins,such as diphtheria toxin [e.g. see chapter 13 of ref. 1; refs. 62-65](or its CRM197 mutant [66-69]) and tetanus toxin, usually in toxoid form(e.g. obtained by treatment with an inactivating chemical, such asformalin or formaldehyde). Other suitable carrier proteins include, butare not limited to, N. meningitidis outer membrane protein [70],synthetic peptides [71,72], heat shock proteins [73,74], pertussisproteins [75, 76], cytokines [77], lymphokines [77], hormones [77],growth factors [77], artificial proteins comprising multiple human CD4⁺T cell epitopes from various pathogen-derived antigens [78] such as N19[79], protein D from Hinfluenzae [80-82], pneumolysin [83], pneumococcalsurface protein PspA [84], iron-uptake proteins [85], toxin A or B fromC. difficile [86], etc.

Where animal (and particularly bovine) materials are used in the cultureof cells, they should be obtained from sources that are free fromtransmissible spongiform encaphalopathies (TSE5), and in particular freefrom bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

It will be understood that the invention will be described by way ofexample only, and that modifications may be made whilst remaining withinthe scope and spirit of the invention.

Three doses at 2, 4 & 6 Months

A study was designed to assess safety and immunogenicity of theMENJUGATE™ vaccine (conjugated meningococcal serogroup C capsularsaccharide) when given together with the PREVNAR™ vaccine (conjugated7-valent pneumococcal capsular saccharide) and/or the INFANRIX-HEXA™product (D-T-Pa-HBsAg-IPV-Hib).

992 infants, aged 2 months at enrolment, were assigned to one of threevaccination groups, receiving: (1) PREVNAR™ plus INFANRIX-HEXA™; (2)MENJUGATE™ plus INFANRIX-HEXA™; or (3) MENJUGATE™ plus PREVNAR™ plusINFANRIX-HEXA™. The vaccines were administered concomitantly, but atseparate injection sites. The study was conducted, with the vaccinesbeing administered at ages 2, 4 and 6 months.

Local erytherma, induration and swelling were slightly lower in group 3than in group 2 (typically around 5% fewer reactions); tenderness wasthe same in both groups. Systemic reactions were similar in all groups,but were typically lowest in group 2, although diarrhoea was lowest ingroup 3. In all cases, however, the vaccines were well tolerated andwere safe.

For assessing immunogenicity, bactericidal titers (BCA) against MenCwere measured in two blood samples from each subject: the first wastaken at the time of the first vaccine dose; the second was taken 4-6weeks after the third dose. The BCA assay used human complement.

The immunological results of the study were uncertain, because Butteryet al. [11] had previously reported that meningococcal serogroup Cconjugates were immunologically incompatible with pneumococcalmultivalent conjugates. In contrast, however, the study of the presentinvention showed that 100% of subjects in groups (2) and (3) achieved aprotective bactericidal titer (i.e. a rise BCA titers of >1:8 in the twoblood samples) against N. meningitidis serogroup C. Moreover, GMTsbetween both groups were nearly identical, showing that none of thevarious non-MenC vaccine components interferes with the immunogenicityof the MenC conjugate.

BCA results were as follows:

Vaccine group 2 3 Difference/Ratio % with ≧1:8 rise 100% 100% 0% in BCAGMTs  (98-100%)  (99-100%) (−1%-2%) BCA GMT in 572 565 0.99 secondsample (473-690)    (465-686)    (0.75-1.3)

Immunogenicity of the INFANRIX HEXA™ components was not impaired.Antibody titers in the second blood sample against the D, T, P, Hib andHBsAg were measured by ELISA. Antibody titers against poliovirus weremeasured by the standard neutralisation test. Results were as follows:

Antigen Criterion Group 2 Difference Group 3 Diphtheria ≧0.1 IU/mL 100%100% 0% Tetanus ≧0.1 IU/mL 100% 100% 0% Pertussis ≧4-fold increase 87%89% −2% Hib ≧0.15 μg/mL 96{circumflex over ( )} 99% −3% HBsAg ≧10 mIU/mL99% 99% 0% Poliovirus type 1 ≧1:8 99% 100% 0% Poliovirus type 2 ≧1:8100% 100% 0% Poliovirus type 3 ≧1:8 99% 100% 0% Group 1 Diphtheria ≧0.1IU/mL 100% 100% 0% Tetanus ≧0.1 IU/mL 100% 100% 0% Pertussis ≧4-foldincrease 92% 89% −3% Hib ≧0.15 μg/mL 98% 99% 0% HBsAg ≧10 mIU/mL 98% 99%2% Poliovirus type 1 ≧1:8 99% 100% 1% Poliovirus type 2 ≧1:8 100% 100%0% Poliovirus type 3 ≧1:8 99% 100% 1%

Immunogenicity of the PREVNAR™ components was not significantlyimpaired. The percentages of patients with ELISA titers ≧0.15 μg/mL inthe second blood sample were as follows:

Serotype Group 3 Group 1 Difference  4 95% 96% 0%  6B 91% 92% −1% 14 94%96% −2%  9V 95% 97% −2% 18C 96% 94% −3% 19F 94% 97% −3% 23F 91% 95% −3%

Thus the immune response against the MenC saccharide was non-inferior ingroups (2) and (3) compared to group (1). The immune response againstthe hexavalent antigens was similar in the three groups. Thus the immuneresponse against the pneumococcal saccharide was non-inferior in group(3) compared to group (1). These results are consistent with reference3.

Comparison of 2-Dose and 3-Dose Schedules

INFANRIX-HEXA™ can be administered according to a 3-dose primaryschedule at 2, 3 & 4 months of age. Because conjugate vaccines may beinhibited by co-administration with acellular pertussis antigens, astudy was designed to assess safety and immunogenicity of the MENJUGATE™vaccine when given together with the INFANRIX-HEXA™ product with this3-dose schedule. The meningococcal conjugate was either co-administeredwith all three hexavalent doses (i.e. at 2, 3 & 4 months of age) or wasadministered only with the first and third (i.e. at 2 and 4 months).Memory responses against the meningococcal conjugate were assessed byadministering an unconjugated mixture of serogroup A and C saccharidesat age 12 months, at the same time as a further dose of INFANRIX-HEXA™,with blood being drawn 7 or 28 days later.

241 infants, aged 7-11 weeks at enrolment, were assigned to one of fourvaccination groups, receiving: (1) MENJUGATE™ plus INFANRIX-HEXA™according to the 3-dose schedule, followed by unconjugated A/C andINFANRIX-HEXA™ at 12 months, with blood drawn 1 week later; (2) same asgroup (1) but with blood drawn 28 days after the unconjugated A/C; (3)MENJUGATE™ plus INFANRIX-HEXA™ according to the 2-dose schedule, withINFANRIX-HEXA™ also being administered at 3 months of age, followed byunconjugated A/C and INFANRIX-HEXA™ at 12 months, with blood drawn 1week later; (4) same as group (3) but with blood drawn 28 days after theunconjugated A/C. Where more than one dose was administered at the sametime, they were administered concomitantly but at separate injectionsites.

No clinically relevant difference in local reactogenicity betweentreatment groups and vaccines was observed. After the MenPS A/Cvaccination and the fourth injection of hexavalent vaccine at 12 months,higher proportions of subjects in each group experienced local reactionscompared to after the first, second and third injection with eitherhexavalent vaccine or Menjugate™. Most local reactions occurred withintwo days of injection and were rated as mild or moderate. No subjectreported a severe local reaction to the meningococcal conjugate.

The incidence of solicited systemic reactions, when summed for allinjections, was similar between the four treatment groups. At visit 2,which allowed comparing systemic reactions after co-administration ofMenjugate™ with hexavalent vaccine (groups 1 and 2) to reactions afterhexavalent vaccine alone (groups 3 and 4), no clinically relevantdifference was observed. Most systemic reactions occurred between 6hours and 2 days after injection. No subject experienced rectaltemperature ≧40.5° C.

One month after primary immunization with Menjugate™, the percentage ofvaccinees displaying protective SBA titers (titer ≧8) were 98% and 100%for the 2-dose and 3-dose immunization schedules, respectively.Protective SBA titers persisted in 89% (2-dose group), versus 95%(3-dose group) at 8 months post-vaccination. Both immunization schedulesinduced a more than 100-fold increase in SBA geometric mean titersmeasured one month after 2 or 3 immunizations.

Upon a single challenge dose of MenPS A/C, subjects primed with eitherimmunization schedule of Menjugate™, showed a 15-fold or greaterincrease of SBA GMTs compared to pre-challenge. This compares to a1.09-fold increase observed when a single dose of MenPS A/C wasadministered in unprimed 12 month-old infants in a historical controlgroup from a previous study. SBA determined 28 days following challengewith MenPS A/C GMTs (groups 2 and 4) tended to be higher compared tothose determined at day 7 (groups 1 and 3).

Thus reactogenicity and other safety profiles were similar among allfour vaccination groups.

The baseline GMCs of antibodies against Hepatitis B surface antigen weresimilar in subjects in the 2-dose and 3-dose schedule groups (8.61 IU/land 5.93 IU/l). At one month after the primary immunizations, these hadincreased 52-fold and 96-fold, respectively, and protective antibodyconcentrations ≧10 IU/l were present in 99% of subjects of either group.

Thus two injections of meningococcal conjugate, administered at 2 and 4months of age, primed the immune system for immunological memory inhealthy infants. 98% of subjects in the 2-dose groups and 100% ofsubjects in the 3-dose group achieved a hBCA titre of ≧1:8. The immuneresponse induced by the 2-dose schedule can be considered non-inferiorto that induced by the 3-dose schedule. 99% of all subjects developedtiters ≧10 IU/l in response to the hepatitis B component of thehexavalent vaccination, thus demonstrating non-interference with eitherthe 2-dose or the 3-dose meningococcal schedule.

In conclusion, a 2-dose schedule of meningococcal conjugate, two monthsapart in infants below 1 year of age, was immunogenic and inducedimmunological memory when given together with the hexavalent vaccine.The 2-dose immunisation schedule for MenC is not inferior to the 3-doseschedule. There is no evidence for a reduced immunogenicity ofco-administered D, T, aP, IPV, HBV or Hib antigens.

A booster dose of meningococcal conjugate may be given to these patientsin the second year of life.

7-valent D-T-aP-HBV-IPV-Hib-MenC Immunisation of Infants

In support of the results described above, reference 87 reports a studyof the concurrent use of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (NEISVAC-C™,with a tetanus toxoid carrier) with DTaP-based combinations, accordingto two vaccination schedules, one of which included hepatitis Bvaccination at birth. Healthy infants were randomized to receive either(i) D-T-aP-HBV-IPV/Hib (INFANRIX HEXA™) at 2, 4, and 6 months or (ii)HBV at birth followed by INFANRIX HEXA™ at 2 and 6 months butD-T-aP-IPV/Hib at 4 months. In both groups, two doses of MenC-TTconjugate were co-administered at 2 and 4 months, and compared with 3doses of MenC-CRM197 conjugate (MENINGITEC™) co-administered at 2, 4,and 6 months with INFANRIX HEXA™

All NEISVAC-C™ recipients had seroprotective concentrations of anti-PRPantibodies 1 month after the third vaccine dose and all had SBA-MenCtiters ≧1:8 after the second dose of NEISVAC-C™. These responses werenoninferior to those seen after 3 doses of DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib andMENINGITEC™. Anti-PRP antibody GMCs were significantly higher inNEISVAC-C™ vaccines than in MENINGITEC™ vaccinees. Immune responses toall other co-administered antigens were unimpaired, withseroprotection/seropositivity rates ≧98.1% in NEISVAC-C™ vaccinees.

All schedules were well tolerated, with no differences in reactogenicitybetween study groups.

Thus co-administration of D-T-aP-HBV-IPV/Hib or D-T-aP-IPV/Hib with twodoses of a MenC conjugate with a tetanus toxoid carrier was concluded tobe safe, well tolerated, and immunogenic, with no impairment of theresponse to the co-administered antigens.

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1. A kit, comprising a first immunogenic component, a second immunogeniccomponent and a third immunogenic component, wherein: (a) the firstimmunogenic component comprises an aqueous formulation of conjugatedcapsular saccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 4, 6B, 9V,14, 18C, 19F and 23F and an aluminium phosphate adjuvant; (b) the secondimmunogenic component comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide fromNeisseria meningitidis serogroup C; (c) at least one of theStreptococcus pneumoniae conjugates has the same carrier protein as theNeisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate, wherein said carrierprotein is a bacterial toxin in toxoid form; and (d) the thirdimmunogenic component comprises one or more of: a diphtheria toxoid, atetanus toxoid, a B. pertussis antigen, a hepatitis B virus surfaceantigen, a conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type B antigen, and aninactivated poliovirus antigen, where, if one of these six additionalantigens is included in the first or second immunogenic component, itwill not be included in the third immunogenic component.
 2. The kit ofclaim 1, wherein the first immunogenic component comprises one or moreof: a diphtheria toxoid, a tetanus toxoid, Bordetella pertussisantigen(s), a hepatitis B virus surface antigen, an inactivatedpoliovirus antigen, a conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type B antigen,where, if one of these six additional antigens is included in the secondor third immunogenic component, it will not be included in the firstimmunogenic component.
 3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the secondimmunogenic component comprises one or more of: a diphtheria toxoid, atetanus toxoid, Bordetella pertussis antigen(s), a hepatitis B virussurface antigen, an inactivated poliovirus antigen, a conjugatedHaemophilus influenzae type B antigen, where, if one of these sixadditional antigens is included in the first or third immunogeniccomponent, it will not be included in the second immunogenic component.4. The kit of claim 1, wherein the hepatitis B virus surface antigen isin the form of particles including a lipid matrix comprisingphospholipids, phosphatidylinositol and polysorbate
 20. 5. The kit ofclaim 2, wherein the hepatitis B virus surface antigen is in the form ofparticles including a lipid matrix comprising phospholipids,phosphatidylinositol and polysorbate
 20. 6. The kit of claim 3, whereinthe hepatitis B virus surface antigen is in the form of particlesincluding a lipid matrix comprising phospholipids, phosphatidylinositoland polysorbate
 20. 7. The kit of claim 1, wherein the same carrierprotein is a tetanus toxoid carrier protein, a diphtheria toxoid carrierprotein, a CRM197 carrier protein or a Haemophilus influenzae protein Dcarrier protein.
 8. The kit of claim 2, wherein the same carrier proteinis a tetanus toxoid carrier protein, a diphtheria toxoid carrierprotein, a CRM197 carrier protein or a Haemophilus influenzae protein Dcarrier protein.
 9. The kit of claim 3, wherein the same carrier proteinis a tetanus toxoid carrier protein, a diphtheria toxoid carrierprotein, a CRM197 carrier protein or a Haemophilus influenzae protein Dcarrier protein.
 10. The kit of claim 1, wherein the capsularsaccharides are from a OAc+ strain of Neisseria meningitidis serogroupC.
 11. The kit of claim 2, wherein the OAc+ strain is C11.
 12. The kitof claim 1, wherein the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugatedoes not include an aluminium phosphate adjuvant.
 13. The kit of claim2, wherein the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate does notinclude an aluminium phosphate adjuvant.
 14. The kit of claim 3, whereinthe Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate does not include analuminium phosphate adjuvant.
 15. The kit of claim 1, wherein theNeisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate is not adsorbed to analuminium phosphate adjuvant.
 16. The kit of claim 2, wherein theNeisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate is not adsorbed to analuminium phosphate adjuvant.
 17. The kit of claim 3, wherein theNeisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate is not adsorbed to analuminium phosphate adjuvant.
 18. The kit of claim 1, wherein theNeisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate is adsorbed to an aluminiumphosphate adjuvant.
 19. The kit of claim 2, wherein the Neisseriameningitidis serogroup C conjugate is adsorbed to an aluminium phosphateadjuvant.
 20. The kit of claim 3, wherein the Neisseria meningitidisserogroup C conjugate is adsorbed to an aluminium phosphate adjuvant.21. The kit of claim 1, wherein the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Cconjugate is in a lyophilised formulation.
 22. The kit of claim 1,wherein the Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugates each have asaccharide:protein ratio (w/w) of between 1:10 and 10:1.
 23. The kit ofclaim 1, wherein the Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugates are eachpresent at between 1 μg and 20 μg (measured as saccharide) per dose. 24.The kit of claim 1, wherein the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Cconjugate has a saccharide:protein ratio (w/w) of between 1:10 and 10:1.25. The kit of claim 1, wherein the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Cconjugate is present at between 1 μg and 20 μg (measured as saccharide)per dose.
 26. The kit of claim 1, wherein the Neisseria meningitidisserogroup C capsular saccharide has a molecular weight of <100 kDa. 27.The kit of claim 26, wherein the capsular saccharide has a molecularweight of between 5 kDa-75 kDa.
 28. A kit, comprising a firstimmunogenic component and a second immunogenic component, wherein: (a)one of the immunogenic components comprises conjugated capsularsaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C,19F and 23F and an aluminium phosphate adjuvant; (b) one of theimmunogenic components comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide fromNeisseria meningitidis serogroup C; (c) one of the immunogeniccomponents comprises an inactivated poliovirus antigen; and (d) at leastone of the Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugates has the same carrierprotein as the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate, whereinsaid carrier protein is a bacterial toxin in toxoid form.
 29. Animmunogenic composition comprising (i) conjugated capsular saccharidesfrom Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23Fand an aluminium phosphate adjuvant; (ii) conjugated capsular saccharidefrom Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C; and (iii) an inactivatedpoliovirus antigen, wherein (a) the composition is in aqueous form and(b) at least one of the Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugates has the samecarrier protein as the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate,wherein said carrier protein is a bacterial toxin in toxoid form. 30.The immunogenic composition of claim 29, further comprising a hepatitisB virus surface antigen.
 31. The immunogenic composition of claim 29,wherein the same carrier protein is a tetanus toxoid carrier protein, adiphtheria toxoid carrier protein, a CRM197 carrier protein or aHaemophilus influenzae protein D carrier protein.
 32. The immunogeniccomposition of claim 29, wherein the Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugateseach have a saccharide:protein ratio (w/w) of between 1:10 and 10:1. 33.The immunogenic composition of claim 29, wherein the Streptococcuspneumoniae conjugates are each present at between 1 μg and 20 μg(measured as saccharide) per dose.
 34. The immunogenic composition ofclaim 29, wherein the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate has asaccharide:protein ratio (w/w) of between 1:10 and 10:1.
 35. Theimmunogenic composition of claim 29, wherein the Neisseria meningitidisserogroup C conjugate is present at between 1 μg and 20 μg (measured assaccharide) per dose.
 36. The immunogenic composition of claim 29,wherein the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C capsular saccharide has amolecular weight of <100 kDa.
 37. The immunogenic composition of claim36, wherein the capsular saccharide has a molecular weight of between 5kDa-75 kDa.